Target cuts ties with Deen; drugmaker distances

NEW YORK (AP) — Target Corp. said Thursday that it is ending its relationship with celebrity cook Paula Deen as fallout builds from revelations that the Southern celebrity chef used racial slurs in the past. Diabetes drug maker Novo Nordisk also joined the companies distancing themselves from her.

The discounter, based in Minneapolis, said that it will phase out its Paula Deen-branded cookware and other items.

“Once the merchandise is sold out, we will not be replenishing inventory,” said Molly Snyder, a Target spokeswoman.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said Wednesday that it’s also cutting ties with Deen. The world’s largest retailer currently carries a variety of products under her moniker, including food items, cookware and health and wellness products, at all of its 4,000 U.S. namesake stores. The retailer began selling her merchandise several years ago. Wal-Mart said it will not place any new orders beyond what’s already committed and is working with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements.

Meanwhile, Paula Deen’s name is being stripped from four buffet restaurants owned by Caesars. Caesars said Wednesday that its decision to rebrand its restaurants in Joliet, Ill.; Tunica, Miss.; Cherokee, N.C.; and Elizabeth, Ind., was a mutual one with Deen.

Last week, the Food Network said that it would not renew the celebrity cook’s contract. And on Monday, Smithfield Foods said it was dropping her as a spokeswoman. Smithfield sold Paula Deen-branded hams in addition to featuring her as a spokeswoman.

Amid the losses, book-buyers are standing by Deen.

As of Thursday morning, “Paula Deen’s New Testament: 250 Recipes, All Lightened Up,” ranked No. 1 on Amazon.com. The book is scheduled for October. Another Deen book, “Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible,” was at No. 13. Several other Deen books were out of stock.

Deen appeared in a “Today” show interview Wednesday, dissolving into tears and saying that anyone in the audience who’s never said anything they’ve regretted should pick up a rock and throw it at her head.

The chef, who specializes in Southern comfort food, repeated that she’s not a racist.

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AP National Writer Hillel Italie contributed to this report from New York.